Artificial horizon.



l. HYlVlER-JONES.

ARTIFICIAL HORIZON.

APPLICATION FILED 05018. 19u..

Patented Dec. l2, 1916.

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ARTIFICIAL HORIZON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. lf2, i916.

Application filed December 18, 1915. Serial No. 67,503.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RYMEn-Joivns, a subject of His Majesty the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residingmat 28 Dartmouth Row, Greenwich,vLondon, S. E., England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Horizons, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved form of artificial horizon specially designed .to

" ical devices hereafter described.

The annexed drawing illustrates the several parts constructed in accordance with my invention Figures l and 2 showing the improved method of suspending the vessel V containing the artificial horizon from the inner ring of a double set of gimbals; while Figs. 3, 4f, 5, 6, 7 represent alternative forms of floats in any one of which is contained the reflecting surface serving the purpose of an artificial horizon. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of a slightly modified form of the vessel V.

In the method of suspension, according to my invention, the vessel V is supported by concentric rings or gimbals consisting of l pairs of bearings as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and working with less friction than with the usual 2 pairs of the mariners comi pass, in order to increase the sensitiveness of movement and thereby preserve the horizontality and steadiness of the reflecting surface. The inner boX Z is entirely isolated from the outervbox Z2 except at the bottom where it rests on a thick wpad g2 of hair-felt or other suitable material to damp vibrations.

The circular vessel V, in which is placed one of the floats illustrated contains a suitable viscous oil or glycerin or syrup, or other easily flowing liquid which provides an absolutely horizontal surface so long as the vessel is perfectly still. This fluid medium is therefore a very important feature in the invention when a floating artificial horizon is employed, because, being in suspension, it

is perfectly free to' regain its normal perpendicular' position, under the attraction of gravity', when momentarily disturbed.

Another device which will assist in steadying the reflecting surface of the artificial horizon is an automatic brake, or curb to any jerk given to the liquid in the suspended vessel V Fig. l. This curb is provided in the following manner: Within the inner box Z is a circular metal can, shown in the diagram by dotted lines c, in which the vessel V hangs and containing av thick oil, or other suitably viscous fluid', in which the bottom of V is made to dip to a sufficient depth to act as adash-pot for checking sudden jerks without deflecting it appreciably from its perpendicular position under gravity, so long as the ship is moved only by the regular undulating action of the sea. A few inches below the surface of the liquid is a circular ledge Z3, not shown, secured to brackets f1 around the interior of V which reduces the volume of liquid disturbed by a jerk, deflects some of it toward the center, and helps to allay its rocking movement. By rounding the lower corners of the vessel V, as shown inv Fig. 8, instead of forming said corners square or rectangular, as shown in Fig. 2, any upward disturbance of the float whenever the vessel 2 is jerked, is reduced.

The essentials for the reflecting surface of an artificial horizon are practically perfect horizontality and freedom from tremors and ripples; both conditions being more or less perfectly secured-depending on the steadiness of the ship-bythe following contrivances: It should be borne in mind that the steadiness of the reflection of a heavenly body is quite unaected by a perfectly horizontal movement of the reflecting surface. A single-float is illustrated in Fig. 4 where the reflecting surface o of the fluid in plat-e 2o of the conical float is raised on a light support 0c: the exclusion of liquid and of an inner float in this arrangement permitting of an increased stability of the float F by using a muchfheavier weight b4 for ballast ing. The weight b4 is secured to the float F by a `rod c4. An alternative single-float form of artificial horizon is obtained by the device shown in Fig. 3 where resting on anti-vibration pads g contained in a pan 222 is a plate o, containing mercury m, on the bright surface of which is made to float a IOO ' or more in diameter.

disk of worked glass g to form a perfectly smooth reflecting surface, even when a moderately strong breeze is blowing, by bridging over vibrations and ripples. The tin pan p2 rests on brackets o inside the suspended vessel V, at the bottom of which is sand-instead of the fluid referred to in the last case-or better still a heavy leaden weight to keep the center of Gravity as low as possible. Or alternatively, slnce scum and oXid form on the mercury, thereby blurring its surface, a pieceof looking glass g is floated on` the mercury so as to provide a horizontal and smooth reflecting surface, say 5 inches that is to say the plate holding the reflecting surface floats on a liquid, the vessel containing which in its turn floats on a second liquid in the suspended bowl V. For example: Fig. 6 shows a tray f having a. liquid in it to float a recesseddisk'or plate p nolding sufficient colza, or other rather thick cil., glycerin or syrup, to form a perfectly level reflecting surface o`. If the layer of oil` be rather thin, the friction between it and the surface of the plate prevents, or speedily allays, ripples even when subjected to a inoderate breeze. Vhen practicable, an extra weight y underneath the plate incre: ses stability. The tray f with its contents and attachments is placed on the liquid in V into which it sinks to about inch from its brim. Greater steadiness is thus secured, through the two fluid media, for the reflecting surface; vit being proved experimentally that ripples on'the surface of the liquid in the outer vessel V are less noticeable in the float f andare practically excluded altogether from the reflecting surface o, which `lserves as the artificial horizon. A means of allay* ing surface ripples and vibrations, if water be used in V and in f, is to pour thick oil like colza, orkresin oil, over the surface Z of the Water.

'A methodof additionally increasing the steadiness of the reflecting surface, which therefore is to be preferred, is to attach a vertical rod c--as in Fig. G-underneath to the center of the tray f, having as large a weight o at its lower end as the buoyancy of the float will safely permit of, to act as ballast and to bring the center of gravity-y as lo'w as possible. In Fig. G it is a leaden disk, preferably of wide diameter, to prolong the period of its oscillation when disturbed, while the extended circumference (Z2, of

As an expedient toy larger surface but small weight, renders it still more dead-beat. Moreover the difference in the natural period of oscillation peculiar to the form of float as compared with that of the liquid, when both are disturbed by a sudden jerk, acts as a damper to curb rocking movements. For this reason, in an alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 7 the lower weight b2 is mercury in a bottle. and is attached by a rod c2 to the tray The larger and more conical float F, in Fig. 5 permits 0f a rod c3 and ballasting weight b3 being also applied to the shallow tray f2 the eXtra stability thus obtained assisting in preserving more steady horizontality for the reflecting surface 0. A weight Zr is attached by a rod c5 to the float F.

In very cold weather the liquid in the vessels V, F, f should be made warm enough to keep fluid the oil, or other liquid used for the reflecting surface o, in the plate p or f2, as the case may be, during the observations. The reflecting surface o 1n plate p Fig. scan be kept fluid by a source of heat represented by the spirit lamp c inside the hollow metal support a'. The curved outer circumference of the lower tray d of Figs. 4 and 7 secures greater steadiness of the reflecting surface. A horizontal reflecting surface for the purpose of an artificial horizon may he obtained by other modifications of the floats embodying the same principle which forms the basis of my invention.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be per formed I declare that what I claim is 1. An artificial horizon comprising a support,two sets of gimbal rings mounted therein and pivotally connected together, the innermost ring carrying a depending container, and a horizontal reflecting surface within said container.

2. An artificial. horizon comprising a container, means for suspending said container from its upper portion for a universal rocking movement, and a floatable horizontal reflecting surface therein.

3. An artificial horizon comprising a support, a container, means for mounting the container in said support for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a horizontal reflecting surface in said container, and means of considerable weight in said container below said horizontal reflecting surface.

4. An artificial horizon comprising a support, a container, means for connecting said container to said support for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container. a horizontal reflecting surface carried within said container, and means to damp the vibrations of the container.

5. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for supporting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of the container, a tray Within said container', a horizontal reflecting surface in said tray, means in the container to damp the vibrations of the tray, and means to damp the vibrations of the container.

6. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for supporting said container for a universal rocking movement, a shallovv pan in said container, a fluid in said shal low pan, means to support said shallow pan, said means serving to damp the vibrations thereof, and means to damp the vibrations of the container.

7. An artificial horizon comprising a support, a container, means for mounting said container in said support for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of the container, a receptacle surrounding said container, a filling of fluid in said outer receptacle, a filling of fluid in the container, and a floatable reflecting surface supported by the fluid in the container.

8. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by saidv fluid, a filling of fluid in said tray, and a horizontal reflecting surface supported by the fluid in the said tray.

9. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling o-f fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid, and a horizontal reflecting surface supported in said tray.

10. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid, a horizontal reflecting surface supported in said tray, and means depending from the tray to damp the vibrations thereof.

11. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid, a horizontal reflecting surface supported in said tray, a stem depending from the tray, and a broad plate secured at its center to the lower end of said stem.

12. An artificial horizon comprising a container,y means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid, a recessed plate or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, and a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan.

13. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a filling of fluid in said container', a tray supported by said fluid, a recessed plate or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, and a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan.

14. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid, a recessed plate or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan, a stem connected to the center of the bottom of said tray, and a weight connected to the lower end of said stem.

15. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a fillingof fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid, a recessed pla-tc or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan, a stem connected to the center of the bottom of said tray, and a broad flat plate connected to the lovver end of said stem, said plate serving as a ballast` ing Weight for the tray.

16. An artificial horizon comprising a container', means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid and floating therein, a recessed plate or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan, a depending stem connected to the center' of the bottom of said tray, and a Weight connected to the lower end of said stem.

17. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a tray supported by said fluid and floating therein, a recessed plate or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan, a depending stem connected to the center of the bottom of said tray, and a broad flat plate connected to the lovver end of said stem and serving to damp the vibrations of the tray in its supporting fluid.

18. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a' filling of fluid in said container, a tray floatable in said fluid, a filling of fluid in said tray, a recessed plate or pan fioatable in the fluid in the tray, and a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan.

19. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a filling of fluid in said container, a floatable tray supported in said fluid, a filling of fluid in said tray, a floatable pan or recessed plate in the fluid in the tray, a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan, and means depending from the bottom of said pan to damp the vibrations thereof.

20. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a filling of fluid in said container, a floatable tray supported in said fluid, a filling of fluid in said tray, a floatable pan or recessed plate in the fluid in the tray, a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan, and a weight depending from the bottom of said pan to damp the vibrations thereof.

21. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a filling of fluid in said container, a floatable tray supported in said fluid, a lling of fluid in said tray, a floatable pan or recessed plate in the fluid in the tray, ahorizontal reflecting surface in said pan, a stem depending from the bottom of said pan, and a broad flat plate connected to the lower end of said stem to damp the vibrations of said p 22. An artificial horizon comprising a container, a fillingof fluid in said container, a. floatable tray in the fluid in the container, a filling of fluid in said tray, a pan or recessed `plate supported by the fluid in the tray, depending ballasting means carried by the pan to damp the vibrations thereof, and a thick heavy fluid in the pan to form a horizontal reflecting surface.

23. An artificial horizon comprising ay container, means for mounting said container for a universal rocking movement, a receptacle surrounding the container, a filling of thick viscous fluid in said receptacle and surrounding the container, a filling of fluid in the container, a floatable tray in the container, depending means carried vby the tray to damp the vibrations thereof, a fill ing of fluid in the tray, a floatable pan supported by the fluid in the tray, a thick heavy fluid in the pan to form a horizontal reflecting surface.

24. An artificial horizon comprising a support, two sets of gimbal rings mounted therein and pivotally connected together, the innermost ring carrying a depending container, a receptacle surrounding the container, a filling of thick viscous fluid in said receptacle and surrounding the container, a filling of fluid in 'the container, a floatable tray in the container, depending means carried by the tray to damp the vibrations thereof, a filling of fluid in the tray, a floatable pan supported by the fluid in the tray, a thick heavy fluid in the pan to form a horizontal reflecting surface.

25. An artificial horizon comprising a container, means for mounting said container for a. universal rocking movement, said means being connected to the upper portion of said container, a filling of fluid in said container, a downwardly tapered tray supported by said fluid, a recessed plate or pan in said tray, means in the tray for supporting said pan, and a horizontal reflecting surface in said pan.

26. An artificial horizon comprising a support, two sets of giinbal rings mounted therein and pivotally connected together, a depending container pivoted to the innermost of said rings, a receptacle surrounding the container, a filling of thick viscous fluid in said receptacle, and a horizontal reflecting surface within said container.

27. An artificial horizon comprising a support, two sets of gimbal rings mounted therein and pivotally connected together, a depending container pivoted to the innermost of said rings, a receptacle surrounding the container, a filling of thick viscous fluid in said receptacle, and a fioatable horizontal reflecting surface in said container.

Dated this 6th day of Dec., 1915. 28 Dartmouth Row, Blackheath, London, S. E.

JOHN RYMER-J ONES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

